UPMC staff members who use a Stargate DSL connection at home have several options for gaining access to their Internet service while traveling.

"Back-Up" Dial-Up Account, for Home DSL Customers (Free)
Stargate customers subscribing to residential DSL service in their home receive one free dial-up account for use as a back-up connection in the event that their high speed DSL service should become unavailable or if they require infrequent access while traveling.  This free dial-up service will only operate on Stargate's native, or "owned" network; which covers the 412, 724 and part of the 814 area codes in Western Pennsylvania. When traveling outside of Western PA, this back-up account will allow users to access the Internet, however, the phone company of which you would be using would consider it a toll call and charge you as such.  As a second alternative, you may also use the Stargate's StarTraveler network via our toll-free number 1-877-782-7939 at a rate of $.10/minute.  The StarTraveler number is a toll free number accessible from anywhere in the 48 contiguous United States.  The per-minute charges for use of the StarTraveler network will appear on the customer's monthly Stargate invoice.  There are no additional fees for this service other then the flat $.10/minute charge.

Traveling Dial-Up Access Account, for Home DSL Customers (only $9.95)
Stargate customers subscribing to residential DSL service in their home, who wish to travel throughout the country, or even around the world, may purchase a UPMC Personal Internet Access (PIA) account for an additional $9.95/month (a $16.95/month value).   A UPMC PIA account will permit toll-free, local calling access to both Stargate's native and national networks; which covers most calling areas in the contiguous 48 states. All local calling numbers may be checked and accessed via the Stargate POP search tool.  Simply enter the area you will be calling from by area code, city, or state and the POP search tool will recommend a local calling option, wherever you are in the United States. When a local calling option is not available, or if you are traveling outside the 48-states, this account will still allow you to access the toll-free StarTraveler number (1-877-782-7939) at a charge of $.10/minute, or you may wish to access the iPass Global Roaming network for international access.  Fees for access to the iPass Global roaming network vary and may range for $2 to $15 per hour, depending on the city and county the connection is being made.

Summary of Stargate DSL Remote Access Options

Western PA Local Network Local calling area serving locations, primarily where Stargate provides home DSL service (if you have DSL at a particular location, Stargate provides a local number that you can dial for free); available with all dial-up accounts Nationwide Access Network Expanded area serving the contiguous 48 states; requires PIA at $9.95 additional Info: http://www.stargate.net/html/nationwideaccess.html Toll-Free Access Number Single access number (1-877-782-7939) available from anywhere in the contiguous 48 states billed at $.10/minute; available with all dial-up accounts Info: http://www.stargate.net/html/nationwide_access.html Global Roaming iPass Network Worldwide access points provided in partnership with iPass, Inc. at a variable rate based on geographic location; requires $9.95 PIA Info: http://help.stargate.net/StarTraveler/global_roaming/index.shtml

 

All of Stargate's local and national access numbers are available via the Stargate POP search tool. Check with the telephone company to verify that the numbers returned will be a local call.

*VPN support is included for each type of remote dial access product described above.
**The $9.95 add-on product includes the same features as the $16.95/month stand alone PIA product.
***Back-up dial account authorizes as user@dsl.stargate.net.  $9.95 dial account authorizes as user@stargate.net.